The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-23
THEOSOPHY IN INDIA.
The Much Vaunted System of Madame Bla
yatsky and Colonel Olcott Exploded.

The Much Wanted System of Madame Bla-
vatsly and Colonel Olcott Exploded.
Rev. j. NJ Thoburn in New York Christian Advocate.
have been surprised, and, indeed. 1 may say,
amazed, since my return from India, nine
months ago, to meet with many intelligent per-
sons who seem not to have heard that the much
Wanted system of Theosophy. founded few
years ago by Madame Blavatsky and Col. Oh
colt. has been utterly exploded The whole
thing was an imposture pure and simple. The
notorious couple left New York with the reputa-
ton of ordinary Spiritualists, and on arriving
in India set up in the character of so-called
Theosophists, won great renown. and made
many distinguished converts Madame B.a-
vatskv was the real leader of the movement
but Col Ocott was its chief representative
before the Indian public. By skillful and
profuse display OF juggler's tricks they sue
ceeded In imposing upon Mr. A. .. Hume
member of the Governor-generafs Council. Mr..
A. 2. Sinnett, the most prominent editor in
India, and number of other influential En-
esh residents in the country They made
themselves very popular with the natives every
whore, and for a brief time seemed to carry
everything before them; but the whole impost-
ure was completely exposed, and Madame
Blavatsky was obliged to leave India She
procured medical certificate it is true. but the
real cause of her abrupt departure was to avoid
a compulsory appearance in the witness box of
Madras court. Nothing could induce the dis
tinguished lady to return to India at the present
time. She is, perhaps the most successful inn
poster living AS for Col. Olcott, his best friends
only plead for him that a very credulous
man has been duped by the clever Russian lady
who was from the first the inspiration of the
movement. This plea, however. can 10 longer
stand
Madame Blavatsky, from the first. was we'll
known to her confederate as utterly untruth-
full woman. She is very profane, is skiliful at
the gaming table, and dare not give a truthful
account of her past life. / have myself seen
letter written by one OF her disciples, in which
he affrms that she is capable of anything when
angry, and yet he adds that he believes her to
be perfectly sincere woman. Her character is
notorious wherever she has been. Col. Olcott
knows this well. and the only possible ground
upon which he can be excused for his persistent
adherence to a notoriously bad woman is that of
supposed idocy. He is very far, however, from
being an idiot: and while it must be admitted
that accuses him of personal wickedness,
his Indifference to the morality Of his assistar
is such that he must be classed with the rest as
e member OF thoroughly bad clique. | am
sorry to waste so much valuable space in de.
nouncing this imposture, but have received so
many inquiries on the subject that it seems nee
essary to say. in few words, that the so called
Theosophy of India is simply a gigantic fraud;
that Coz. Olcott is the moderate of one of the
worst women living; that Mr.. Sinnett is still
keeping before the public his book on the
Occult World" while knowing that its won
ders have all been exposed as impostures; and
that the whole movement is regarded with uu-
qualified contempt by the Indian public. Mr..
Hume has long since withdrawn from the party,
as believe others have cone. A writer in the
last number of Harpe-'s Weekly speaks in glow
ing terms of the last annual meeting of the Theo-
sophsts near Madras, and the prominence given
to their leaders by publishing their portraits IN
the Weekly may lead some to suppose that the I'M
posture still maintains a respectable standing in
India With reference to the meeting in cues
ton. 1 need only say that it passed resolution
expressing the affection" of the bers for the
notorious Madam Blavatsky. People who have
affection to waste on such creature are not
worthy of much serious attention.